TRUST & TRIUMPH

1 Chronicles 14:1-17

Tuesday, 01 July 2025

… so David inquired of God again, and God answered him… –1 Chronicles 14:14 

There is a long history of events that unfolded before David could settle down to as King over Israel. It was a journey filled with good periods and bad, in which he had to keep his trust in the Lord all the way until the Lord established him. There was a deep “knowing” within him of the Lord’s hand over his life and affairs (V.2).

The Philistines, the old enemy of Israel that David as a young lad had come against, show upagain when they see he is made king. It is not David’s long experience and expertise and war skill that he depended on to face the foe, but he inquired of the Lord how he should tackle the threat. At both times the enemy came for an attack we observe the following of David:

• TRUST: David’s trust in God shines through both the battles he had to face. He trusted in the Lord’s foresightedness in having knowledge of the enemy and their tactics. Proverbs 3:5-6 states: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”David knew if he put his trust in the Lord, the Lord would provide the means to defeat the enemy.

• TRIUMPH: The second time the Philistines came against David, as he inquired of the Lord, He gave David the strategy, the plan to rout the enemy. He said, “As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the poplar trees, move out to battle, because that will mean God has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army.” (V.15).Note that the LORD went before David to face the enemy! It was in the Lord’s strength the battle was won! We have seen this time and again in the Word of God how He has provided timely help in the face of great threat from the enemies of His people. The Lord parted the Red Sea for His people to cross over as the enemy was pursing them (Exodus 14); the Lord made the fortified Jericho walls fall without an effort for Joshua and his people when they obeyed the Lord’s instructions (Joshua 5); as Jehoshaphat and his people sang and praised God, He set ambushes to the formidable enemy and they were defeated (2Chron.20)—these are just a few examples..

Every believer in his sojourn on the earth faces the threat of the enemy from both the inside and the outside. The greatest threat is the battle for his soul to be distracted from following the Lord- that is the battle of the craving of the flesh; one can win over that only by trusting the Lord and yielding to the Holy Spirit (Gal.5:16-17). We are constantly called to put to death sins of the flesh that are trying to persistently get to us (Col. 3:5). It is the Lord Jesus who helps us triumph through Him, rescuing us from the evil that constantly wages a war against us! Romans 7:24-25 [NLT] says: “… Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…”

When other physical threats come in the way of persecution, discouragements, insults, remember the Lord will render His help-His comfort, strength and rescue. 2 Peter 2: 9 encourages us: “….if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment.” So brethren, be reminded of your trust and triumph- in the LORD!

To Meditate: Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. (2Cor.2:14)

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